The choice Nigerians need to make in 2019
One politician strolled into the fourth republic with huge dose of democratic credentials. Alhaji Abubakar Atiku established himself as a democrat immediately he resigned from public service. He became a disciple of late Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, the great political tactician that swept the country like a hurricane.
Members of this political machine included Chief Anthony Anenih, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lamidi Adedibu, Dapo Sarumi, Yomi Edu and others.
Turaki Abubakar was at the verge of winning the governorship election of Adamawa State in 1991 before former military President Ibrahim Babangida banned him and other frontline candidates across the country.
Not deterred by the setback, he contested the presidential primary election of the Social Democratic Party and placed third out 30 contestants. Who is afraid of Atiku and why are they afraid of him? In understanding who and why they are afraid of Atiku, we need to analyse the politics of the fourth republic and properly situate his role(s) in proper context. It is worthy to mention that he was a founding member of the Peoples’ Democratic Party and actually contributed N500m to the party. It is obvious that he had already conquered the business world before assuming office as Vice President.
In modern Nigeria, I have not seen a politician more tenacious that the Turaki Adamawa in defending his beliefs and projecting same for the benefit of humanity. Anybody in doubt should take a trip to the hill top of Abeokuta and debrief former Olusegun Obasanjo.
He masked his intention on a third term agenda hinged on the need for policy continuity. He did not reckon with the tenacity of Atiku to rally positive forces of the political class to checkmate him. The political fallout on the Turaki was massive.
Obasanjo unleashed the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) led by Nuhu Ribadu on him. Lies were churned out and international conspiracy was activated to damage the skyrocketing political profile of the former Vice President. However, his doggedness and commitment to the creation of an ideal Nigerian society kept him going.
Today, he has emerged as the leading light in the remodelling of our nation. In moving Nigeria to political stability, tolerance and developmental Eldorado, what is needed is a thoroughbred politician imbued with economic foresight and ability to create jobs for the youth population. The youths have become despondent and feel left behind by the political and economic train.
A tested hand like Atiku is surely needed to coordinate the proper integration of the youths into the economic mainstream.
He is the highest individual employer of labour in Nigeria and a believer in excellence. The truth that cannot be dismissed is that among those jostling to convince Nigerians for their votes in 2019, only the Turaki has experience in job creation. This is the choice Nigerian must make in 2019 without sentiment and pandering to the propaganda of surrogates of past failures.
The fragility of our mutual existence as a country cannot be over exaggerated.
As a matter of fact, the erosion of our cultural, religious and social commonalities is an ever constant feature of the past two decades. There is need to undertake enormous reintegration of all divergent groups into a united country. Nobody can do it better than Atiku. He is a proven man of immense conviction and political muscles to navigate us to the destination of unity.
President Muhammadu Buhari came at a time he was needed to abridge our drift towards excessive insecurity and anarchy. Atiku is the man to build the country for the happiness and prosperity of all citizens of Nigeria.
Jeff Eme is resident in Port Harcourt
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